Copperhead Consulting Bat Survey in Big Bat Cave

When: January 24th, 2014What: A survey of the bat population in Big Bat cave from the natural entrance to the end of the main trunk past the volcanosWho: Copperhead Consulting

Description of event:

On 24 January 2014, six biologists from Copperhead Environmental Consulting and a LIDAR Survey team joined several Kentucky Karst Conservancy members on a trip into Big Bat Cave. During the trip, our goals were to identify and count the bats in the cave and to determine if white-nose syndrome (WNS) was affecting the hibernating bats. This trip also served as a training opportunity for some of the biologists, focusing on identification of hibernating bats and recognizing WNS.

While the main focus of the trip into the cave was to check on the bat population, we made a couple of other interesting finds, including a marbled salamander (Ambystoma opacum) and a red salamander (Pseudotriton ruber).

We greatly appreciate the Kentucky Karst Conservancy and their willingness to allow us to accompany them on the trip into Big Bat Cave.